Overflow indicator



Jan.. 5, i932. H. w. SMITH OVERFLOW INDICATOR Filed Feb. ll, 1931 2520572752 2)/ Worc'ef (f7/252% Patented Jan. 5, 1932 iran STATES' HARRY WORCESTER SMTIL F NORTH GRAFTON', MASSACHUSETTS ovEnFLow inmensos;

Application led February 11, 1931. Serial` No. 515,132.

This invention relates to an overflow indicator particularly for a gas tank of an automobile but is capable of general use.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means for showing when a tank is filled up to a desired level so that the filling operation may be stopped quickly before the tank overflows to any material extent. Another object of the invention is to provide means for sealing the overflow by hand, or when the cap is put on, so that when this is done quickly the overliow will not continue to discharge gas or other liquid. The invention also involves a very simple, inexpensive l5 and convenient construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompany- A ing drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a gasoline tank provided with a preferred embodiment of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the line 2-'2 ot Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the valve in an open position, and f Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention. d

Ordinarily tanks of this kind are provided with a cap that screws down and covers the filling opening. This invention involves the provision of a vent pipe at a point below the top of the tank and a valve which will be open to connect the vent pipe with the interior of the tank whenever the cap is removed and will be closed by the screwing down of the cap or by the direct pushing down of the valve prior to that.

In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the tank 10 is provided with an indentation or recess 11 at a convenient point near the top extending from the tube 12, through which the tank is filled, to one side or end of the tank. This tube 12 is the usual tube provided f5 with the usual cap 13. This tube is perforated at one point and a vent pipe 14 is connected with the interior of it at that point and extending outwardly through the depression or indentation 11. It is bent down- -wardly at the end so that the outflow ofgas will not spurtoutto the side but will be directed downwardly. The end of this pipe is placed in some position .where it will be readily visible to the operator.

Inside the tube 12 is a tubular valve 15' 55 which, when the cap is closed as sho-wn in Figs. 2 and 4, extends from the cap 13 to ak point below the vent pipe 14, where it will seal the vent and prevent loss of liquid throughv it. Thev tube 1Q has an inwardly GU extending flange 16 at thebottom supporting a coil` spring 17 which'is arranged to eX- ert its force on the valve 15vto force it up.

in the use of the device the cap 13, of course, is unscrewed or otherwise removed and the spring 17 is then free to force up the valve 15 as shown in Fig. Now the filling operation is performed in the usualy way. Villiene'ver the gasoline gets up to the level of the pipe 14 it will escape from it and the 'F5' opera-tor, observing it, can. stop filling. Then he pushes down the valve 15 which stops the flow through the pipe 14. The" cap 13 is then applied and the valve'l is positively held down thereby until the cap is again removed.

In thev form shown in Fig. 4 the vent pipe is on the inside of the tank instead ofthe outside'. In this case either one or two pipes 19 ext-ending tothe opposite ends or sides may be u.sed.` They are located within the tank but they operate the same as the form shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3. In this case two tubes are shownso that they will both discharge at the same time at opposite sides or ends of the tank and the operator will observe the dischargel no matter at which position he may be Standing.

This construction is very simple and inexpensive a'nd easily constructed and installed'. Another value'which it has is that many people measure the amount of gas they are using by filling the tank and taking the mileage until it is necessary to fill it again. This ordinarily is very inaccurate but where the tank is filled tothe same level 0r nearly so, as it is done in this device, it becomes much more accurate in measuring mileage.

Although Ihave illustrated and described only twofforms of the invention I am aware of tho/fact that modifications may be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore l do not wish to be limited in this respect but what l do claim is 1. The combination with a tank for holding inflammable liquid, of a vent pipe communicating with the interior and extending outwardly to show by leakage when the tank is filled up to the level of said pipe, and means fer closing the vent pipe to prevent further leakage irrespective of the pressure.

2, The combination with a tank for holding liquid, of a filling tube, a vent pipe coinmunicating from the interior of the tube and extending` outwardly therefrom to show by leakage when the tank is filled up to the level of said pipe, and means whereby when the cap on the filling tube is closed the vent pipe .will be sealed to prevent further leakage. Y

3. The combination with a tank for holding a liquid, a filling tube at the top of' the tank open at the top and bottom and a cap for closing the filling tube, of means CCnimunicating with the interior of the tube for discharging the liquid when the tank is fille-d up to'that level, a valve inside the filling tube for closing the inlet end of Ythe dischargine` means, said valve extending up to the top or the filling tube, whereby when the tank is filled the Valve can be depressed from the top to close the 'discharging means. Y

l. The combination with a tank for hold ing aliquid, a. filling tube, and a cap for closing the filling tube, of a pipe communicating with the interior of the tube for discharging tlieliquid when fthe tank is filled up to the level of the pipe, a valve for closing the inlet end of the discharge pipe, and yielding means for forcing the valve up to expose the inner end of the discharge pipe, said valve extending up to the top ofthe filling tube, whereby when the tank is filled the valve can be depressed from the top against the springV to f vclose the discharge pipe, said pipe being outside the tank.

5. In an overflow indicator, the combination of filling tube and a cap therefor, of a vent pipe projecting outwardly from the filling tube to show when the liquid reaches the level of the vent pipe, a tubular valve slidable up and down in the filling tube, said filling tube having a flange at the bottom and a spring supported by said flange normally forcing the tubular valve above the vent opening, whereby the tubular valve can be pushe down by hand to close the vent opening and whereby it will be held permanently in closed position when the cap is screwed down upon it.

6.v In an overflow indicator, the combination of a filling tube and a cap therefor, of a vent extending` from the filling tube, a tubular valve slidable up anddown in the filling tube, said filling tube having a flange at the bottom, and a spring supported by said flange and normally forcing the tubular valve above the vent whereby the tubular valve will be held permanently in closed position when the cap is screwed down upon it.

7. tank for holding liquid having an in\y let, `and means whereby when the tank has been filled to a predetermined point under atmospheric pressure the operator is notified.

In a tank-for liquids having an inlet, the combination of a cover for the same, means whereby when the tank has been filled to a predetermined point, the operator is notified and when the inlet is Covered, the means of notification are automatically made inoperative. i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

' HARRY YVORCESTER SMETH. 

